Japan Airlines has confirmed that one of its aircraft struck a smaller turboprop on landing in Tokyo.
The Airbus A350 collided with a Japan coastguard DHC-8 aircraft at Haneda airport and was engulfed in flames,
The European aircraft manufacturer said: “The Japanese authorities have since confirmed that sadly five of the six people on board the DHC-8 did not survive. The exact circumstances of the event are still unknown.”
All 367 passengers and 12 crew members on board the Jal Airbus evacuated the aircraft.
Fourteen passengers and crew were reported to have been treated for minor injuries.
The A350 was on a domestic flight from Sapporo to Haneda when the accident occurred at 5.47pm local time on Tuesday.
Jal said: “We regret to inform you that on the evening of January 2nd, JL516 was involved in a collision with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft during its landing at Haneda airport, resulting in a fire on the runway.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased members of the Japan Coast Guard.
“We want to assure you that all passengers and crew on our flight were safely evacuated.
“We will sincerely and wholeheartedly respond to the requests and inquiries of customers who have been involved in an accident.
“We would like to extend our sincerest apologies for the distress and inconvenience caused to our passengers, their families, and all those affected by this incident.
“We would like to continue to assure you that we will provide our full co-operation in the investigation of this unfortunate event.”
Airbus said it was dispatching a team of specialists to assist the authorities in Jaan with an investigation into the cause of the accident.
“Further updates will be provided as soon as consolidated information is available and Airbus is authorised to release them,” the company said.
“Our concerns and sympathy go to the families, friends and loved ones affected by the accident.”
The Foreign Office said in updated travel advice: “A fire aboard Japan Airlines flight JAL 516 on 2 January has resulted in runway closures at Haneda airport. Domestic and international flight schedules are likely to be affected, so please check arrival/departure information on airlines’ websites prior to travel.”